Julia's Blog
Well here is a first.....I have never "blogged" before so just a small introduction.
My name is Julia. I joined KAS towards the end of 2009 after looking for a cause to support on the Internet. I am 52 years old and have knitted since I was about 8 years old. My first project was a "Sooty" hand puppet in Junior school....bright yellow wool and black stitched features. Over the years I have "inflicted" my Aran, Nordic and Shetland jumpers on my friends and family for presents so having filled all their drawers ! I began to knit display garments for a large wool shop in my spare time. I have not knitted for a number of years but now having lost my last two companion Labrador dogs I find I have spare time around my work commitments so I have started knitting again.
I was very lucky to go to South Africa last year. I fell in love with the country and its warm friendly people. I am going back later this year to see some places I missed last time and revisit some favourite ones. I also want to look at voluntary work as my work in England is seasonal I can spare time to work in South Africa over our winter months.
I really enjoy making things for the KAS children, I kiss every blanket and jumper that I send as I seal the packages I hope it will give the child who receives it warmth and comfort. I find the KAS photo section an inspiration with all of the garments and creative squares that members send and I love the support you get from members around the World. I admire Sandy for having the vision to set this site up and it had been wonderful to watch the numbers of contributors grow each month. I am sure that my friends and family are also very pleased I have found an outlet for my knitting....no more jumpers !!!
Some of you will know I met with Diane and Jeni on 19th August 2010 in Edinburgh primarily to see the "Soweto Gospel Choir". All three of us laughed as we do not have our photographs on our pages.....some were taken....so with official permission from the girls they will appear here when I do my "official blog" of the event......watch this space !
Views: 1402
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Enid Mary Shaw on
-
Hi Julia, lovely intro'. Looking forward to those pics!!!!! :))
How great it would be if you get to SA and see how KAS works there.
take care,
xx
-
Permalink Reply by Julia Dee on -
Thank you Enid. I am walking the Garden Route this year from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town in November/December. I shall be spending some extra time in Cape Town as I am going to look at a scheme where they need people to sit with school children to help their reading skills.
I shall get the photographs from Edinburgh onto this blog ASAP.
-
Permalink Reply by Dawne Smith-Sliming on -
Julia,
Lovely to 'meet you' and have a bit of an introduction via this blog.
If you are planning to spend some time in Cape Town you might want to connect with the folks over at Be Sweet. http://www.besweetproducts.com/
Not only do they have lovely yarns, Be Sweet has a philosophy that I am thrilled to find in the corporate sector.
A snippet from their site:
"Be Sweet works with several job creation programs in South Africa by giving artisans the confidence and the means to support themselves and their families in an otherwise economically depressed region. The empowerment groups have grown to include over 200 villagers, mostly female members of the Xhosa tribe, who live in Cape Town, the Eastern Cape region and Johannesburg. Participants are responsible for making mohair, bamboo and organic cotton yarns, accessories and home goods. Many of the women depend on their work for their survival. With the help of experienced program directors, the women are able to work in stable environments where they can earn a fair wage, learn a new skill and enjoy their jobs."
-
Permalink Reply by Julia Dee on
-
Thank you for the information on "Be Sweet" Dawne. I will look at the website after I have been on here. I really like Cape Town....I just hope it is all in one piece after the Football World Cup....no I doubt that much will have changed ..except the football stadium is now complete as it was still under construction when I was there last time.
Reading the snippet you have put here about "Be Sweet" it looks like I shall be paying excess baggage on the flight back !
-
Permalink Reply by Julia Dee on
-
On Thursday 19th August I met Diane and Jeni fellow KAS yarnaholics in Edinburgh. How do you find two KAS ladies you have never met in a railway station ?.....just look for them sitting on a bench doing crochet !
Introductions over we went on a tour of the "wool establishments" of Edinburgh ending up in the gardens for lunch. The sun was shinning as we ate crepes listening to a band playing as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Diane and Jeni won prizes in the "Bulmers Draw" after lunch before we headed up to the Royal Mile to take in more of festival.
Some of the wonderful historical buildings of the Royal Mile
We got caught in a quick shower so headed for a coffee shop for cover. We had a lovely talk about KAS you were all with us as we talked about "people we knew" on the site and the wonderful creations you all make.We were really looking forward to the "Soweto Gospel Choir" concert and time came to make a move to get to the venue.
Outside of the Assembly rooms Diane and Jeni showed me how to hold a crochet hook and started me off on a Granny Square.
They are both so quick at crocheting. The photograph shows me ,on the left, and Diane ....I think she is laughing at my effort.....as I try to get the hook in the right hole.
Anyway the main reason for our visit was the performance by the choir. No photographs as we were not allowed to take them in the hall. They were fantastic. The first drumbeat took me straight back to Africa, I love the music. Their voices were so strong most of the time just backed by the drums, occassionaly backed by a small keyboard for songs such as "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Each one takes the lead in different songs and they also dance, traditional African dancing also very spectacular. Their costumes were an inspiration for squares and blankets, so multi-coloured and patterned....must get my "sketch pad out....sorry Jeni !
We bought copies of their CD and Jeni had copies of the blankets being presented to them in the US which was a great ice-breaker as we were worried we would appear like "groupies". Members of the group came and spoke to us and we took photographs they were very friendly and very appreciative of what the members of KAS do.
Our day was coming to an end. Jeni went to catch her train and Diane and I went for dinner at a Chinese Restaurant. It had been a lovely day and I am so pleased that I have met Diane and Jeni and look forward to seeing them again. I carried on with my crochet square on the train home and people were asking what I was doing. I still had a few of the KAS Rulers I had printed out to leave in wool shops in Edinburgh so I passed them round.....hopefully we may get a few more to knit and crochet for KAS.
- Attachments:
-
Permalink Reply by Harrison's mom on -
Welcome to the world of blogging Julia. Thanks for the photos and the company. We did have a great day.
Jeni
xx
-
Permalink Reply by Julia Dee on
-
Thank you Jeni it really was a pleasure to meet both of you. Anytime you want an "away day" just say.....we might even have to come on a raid to your "Bargain shop" ! I have had two deliveries today one from Abakhan...think I am going to need sunglasses to knit with the randon wool I have bought but fabulous colours for the children and my first order from Kemps some bargain DK for 59p a 100g ball and some lovely Wendy wool in pastel colours that is so soft, it feels like cotton, though it is acryllic, it will make fabulous vests and tops for the children. All this should keep me going for a while.
-
Permalink Reply by Diane McTigue on -
I just wanted to add once again, my thanks to Julia and Jeni for coming with me into Edinburgh last week; we really did have a fabulous day. Lots of talking, lots of laughter and a bit of food too! (not to mention the concert, which was rather special!)
Glad your wool came quickly - it'll be interesting to see what you make with bright stuff!
Diane
-
Permalink Reply by Christine Johnson on -
I bought some of that 59p bargain acrylic too! I was really pleased with my last Kemp's order (and it arrives the day after you order.)
I would get some more but do I really need more yarn? Probably not.
-
Permalink Reply by Julia Dee on
-
Yes Christine I was very impressed with Kemp's service. Diane gave me their website details. I will have to go down and see what else they have when I am next in the area. The "59p" wool is a real bargain. When we were talking in Edinburgh the "Aldi" wool came up in converation and Jeni thought they would do it again in the furture so I hope someone will let me know if they do as I live 18 miles from the nearest Aldi and do not go on a weekly basis.
-
Permalink Reply by Christine Johnson on
-
I think the cheap Aldi wool (yarn) was the best I ever purchased for quality at the price and I'm still using it sparingly hoping that I can get more soon. I wish I'd got there sooner and bought more.
I went to Kemp's when I was in Sunderland. I will probably go again when I'm there but their mail-order service is so good that I was a bit surprised by the shop - not particularly big.
-
Permalink Reply by Julia Dee on
-
Diane I am thinking of doing some baby blankets with the pastel colours, Wendy Beach Baby and now I feel more confident with holding a crochet hook I can crochet the edges to finish them off. The bright random wool is destined to be some jumpers for the age groups stated in the revised "wanted" lists.
Donations
Or make a one-time donation:
KASBlog - All For Orphans
Make a difference in an AIDS orphans life! Make a difference in your childrens lives! Start here with this 40 page, beautifully illustrated teacher resource, all for a small donation of $12.95. Click here.
You can support our work with the abandoned, vulnerable and orphaned children of South Africa by buying t-shirts, knitting totes, hats and gifts here! Click here.
© 2012 Created by Sandy McDonald.
Powered by
